Trap-Door Incision for Penetrating Thoracic Trauma : An Obsolete Approach?

• Published in: Case reports in surgery Vol. 2014; no. 2014; pp. 1 - 3
• Main Authors: Fabregues Olea, Ana, Zarain Obrador, Leire, Perez-Diaz, Dolores, Turégano Fuentes, Fernando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Puplishing Corporation 01-01-2014; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Case Report
• ISSN: 2090-6900; 2090-6919
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/798242

Penetrating injuries to the subclavian vessels are uncommon and very severe lesions. They are difficult to expose and carry a high mortality. “Trap-door” incisions have lately been dismissed as too mutilating for the occasional victim of a penetrating thoracic trauma with massive bleeding difficult that is to expose. We present a case of severe bleeding from a stab wound in the left subclavicular area in a heavy-built patient where a “trap-door” incision proved inevitable to expose and repair the injury, and most probably saved his life.